Apparatus and method for operating media couplings on a blow mould

ABSTRACT

Apparatus (1) for transforming plastic parisons (10) to plastic containers (20) with a transport device (2) which transports the plastic parisons (10) along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device (2) has a movable station support (12) arranged at least indirectly on a stationary base support (6) on which a plurality of transforming stations (8) is arranged, wherein these transforming stations (8) each have blow mould devices (14) which each form cavities within which the plastic parisons (10) can be transformed into the plastic containers (20) and these blow mould devices (14) are each disposed on blow mould supports (16), wherein the apparatus (1) has a changing device (40) which is suitable and intended at least to remove the blow moulding devices (14) from their blow mould supports (16) and/or to arrange blow moulding devices (14) on the blow mould supports (16), wherein this changing device (40) has at least one gripping device for gripping the blow moulding device (14), wherein the gripping device is suitable for selectively changing a complete blow moulding device (14) or only parts (14a, 14b, 14c) of the blow moulding device (14), wherein the reshaping station (8) and in particular the blow moulding device (14) has at least one channel (60) for conveying a flowable medium as well as at least one coupling device (62) which can be separated from the channel (60). According to the invention the changing device (40) is suitable and intended to separate and/or to connect the coupling device (62) and/or to break and/or to make a flow connection between the channel (60) and the coupling device (62).

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for reshapingplastic preforms into plastic containers. Apparatuses and methods forreshaping plastic preforms into plastic containers have been known for along time from the prior art. For this purpose the plastic preforms areusually introduced into a blow mould which forms a cavity and in theinterior of which the plastic preforms are expanded in a stretch blowmoulding process by the application of compressed air against the innerwall of this blow mould and are stretched, simultaneously ifappropriate, by means of a stretching rod. In this case it has provedadvantageous to control the temperature of the base and the side wallsof the blow moulds with cool or warm water during the stretch blowmoulding process, even individually in some types of expansion process.Depending upon the chosen type of expansion process an exact temperaturecontrol of the temperature of the blow mould is necessary for ensuring aconsistently high quality of the plastic container obtained. For thispurpose in the various types of process (inter alia in the production ofbottles for subsequent hot bottling) for the production of the PETcontainers the blow moulds are supplied with media by means of aplurality of connections and couplings. In the event of a manual changeof blow mould, the blow moulds are changed manually and in this case theconnectors are manually uncoupled and coupled again. Single blow mouldsfor the standard process can currently be changed automatically with arobot system. In the standard process the base mould is supplied withthe medium by means of two couplings. In the event of an automaticchange of blow mould these couplings are automatically coupled anduncoupled by lifting and lowering of the base.

The apparatuses and methods which are currently known from the prior artgive rise to the disadvantage that the blow moulds are uncoupled andcoupled again by hand in a time-consuming manner. This requires asubstantial setup time and thus a long machine shutdown.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantagesknown from the prior art and to provide an apparatus which furtherautomates and thereby in particular accelerates an operation of themedia couplings which is necessary during a blow mould changingoperation.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the subjects of theindependent claims. Advantageous embodiments and modifications of theinvention are the subject of the subordinate claims.

An apparatus according to the invention for transforming plasticpreforms into plastic containers has a transport device which transportsthe plastic preforms along a predefined transport path, wherein thetransport device has a movable station support arranged at leastindirectly on a stationary base support on which a plurality oftransforming stations are arranged, wherein these transforming stationseach have blow mould devices which each form cavities or each form acavity inside which the plastic preforms can be transformed into theplastic containers and these blow mould devices are each arranged onblow mould supports, wherein the apparatus has a changing device whichis suitable and intended in order, in a changing mode of the system, atleast to remove the blow mould devices from their blow mould supportsand/or to arrange blow mould devices on the blow mould supports, whereinthis changing device has at least one gripping device for gripping theblow mould device, wherein the gripping device is suitable forselectively changing a complete blow moulding device or only parts ofthe blow moulding device, wherein the reshaping station and inparticular the blow moulding device and/or the blow mould support has atleast one channel for conveying a flowable medium as well as at leastone coupling device which can be disconnected from the channel.

According to the invention the changing device is connection suitableand intended to disconnect and/or to connect (or to release and/or toclose) the coupling device and/or to break and/or to make a flowconnection between the channel and the coupling device. The couplingdevice can be for instance a connector (which can be disconnected), bymeans of which a channel can be connected to a further channel suitablefor conveying a flowable medium. The coupling device preferably servesas a connection, by means of which a replacement and/or a supply and/ora discharge of flowable medium in the channel can be carried out.

It is therefore proposed according to the invention that the changingdevice serves not only for changing for receiving blow moulds or blowmould devices, but also for releasing and/or closing media couplings onthe blow moulds or the blow mould devices. Thus a device whichautomatically releases and/or connects the media couplings or thecoupling devices during gripping of the mould is preferably located onthe changing device, for instance a robot (gripper) or a handlingmanipulator.

This is advantageous in particular when frequent changes of blow mouldsor blow moulding devices must be carried out. The changing device ispreferably a semi-automatic and preferably fully automatic robot.However, a manual changing device may also be provided. Thus it would bepossible for example that a so-called manipulator is used instead of arobot. A manipulator compensates for the dead weight of a workpiece tobe moved, such as for instance a blow mould, in order to simplify theoperation. The operator can guide the manipulator which has the mouldgripper fastened on its end. Such a change by means of a manipulator isnot automatically carried out or carried out without an operator. It ispointed out that the configuration of the changing device as amanipulator can also be used irrespective of whether the changing devicealso carries out other activities outside the changing mode.

The changing device can preferably be moved or guided along an inparticular predetermined movement path or along a line. Even if thechanging device is a robot, it is in particular not mobile, butstationary, wherein the gripping device or robot arm thereof and/or anelement of the changing device which disconnects and/or connects thecoupling device is movable, in particular movable towards and away fromat least one reshaping station. It would also be possible that thechanging device is preferably a mobile device which can preferably bemoved in its entirety, and it is preferably not a stationary device. Thechanging device is preferably suitable and intended not only to operatethe coupling device(s) of a predetermined reshaping station on theapparatus (i.e. to separate them or to connect them), and thus is notassociated with precisely one reshaping station, but is suitable and/orintended at least also to operate the coupling device(s) of at least onefurther reshaping station and preferably of all reshaping stations ofthe apparatus. However, it is also conceivable that a plurality ofchanging devices are provided, which for instance operate differentreshaping stations simultaneously. This offers the advantage of afurther saving of time.

The at least one changing device is preferably used in a changing modein which at least one blow moulding device is changed, and which differsfrom an expansion mode, in which the plastic preforms are expanded toform plastic containers. The (temperature control medium) channel ispreferably arranged in a base part and/or in a side part and/or in theside parts of the blow moulding device. A plurality of (temperaturecontrol medium) channels are provided, so that the individual parts ofthe blow moulding device can be supplied individually with flowablemedium. This offers the advantage that for instance the individual partscan be temperature-controlled separately. Therefore it is conceivablefor instance that at least one temperature control medium channel,preferably a coolant channel, is provided as a channel which serves forguiding a flowable temperature control medium for controlling thetemperature of the blow moulding device and/or of the blow mould supportdevice, wherein this temperature control medium channel is preferablyincorporated in a temperature control circuit. Preferably at least onefirst fluid circuit is provided in order to control the temperature ofthe side wall and at to least one further fluid circuit is provided inorder to control the temperature of the base.

The base part of the blow moulding device preferably has at least onechannel as temperature control medium channel, which is particularlypreferably arranged inside the base part. This temperature controlmedium channel is preferably suitable and intended to cool the basepart, in particular the surface thereof facing the cavity, by means ofcooling liquid such as cooling water, preferably to temperatures up to20° C., preferably up to 15° C. and particularly preferably up to 12°C., wherein preferably the temperatures amount to at least 5° C. andparticularly preferably at least 8° C. Alternatively or additionally thebase part of blow moulding device has at least one temperature controlmedium channel, via which, for instance by means of heating medium suchas hot water, the base part and in particular the surface of the basepart facing the cavity can be heated, preferably to temperatures of atleast 40° C., preferably at least 50° C., preferably at least 60° C.,preferably at least 70° C. and particularly preferably at least 80° C.and/or preferably a maximum of 90° C. and particularly preferably amaximum of 85° C. The base part preferably has at least one couplingdevice (which can be separated from the changing device and/or connectedthereto), by means of which the temperature control medium channel canbe supplied with cool water or by means of which a flow connection tocooling water of correspondingly suitable temperature can be produced,and/or at least one coupling device (which can be separated from thechanging device and/or connected thereto), by means of which thetemperature control medium channel can be supplied with warm water or bymeans of which a flow connection to warm water of correspondinglysuitable temperature can be produced.

Preferably at least one side part of the blow moulding device, andpreferably at least one of the two side parts in each case, has at leastone channel as temperature control medium channel which is particularlypreferably arranged inside the side part. Preferably in each case viathis temperature control medium channel, via which, for instance bymeans of heating medium such as hot water, at least portions of the basepart and in particular the surface thereof facing the cavity can beheated, preferably to temperatures of at least 40° C., preferably atleast 50° C., preferably at least 60° C., preferably at least 65° C.,preferably at least 70° C., preferably at least 80° C. and particularlypreferably at least 85° C. and/or preferably a maximum of 90° C.,preferably a maximum of 85° C., preferably a maximum of 70° andparticularly preferably a maximum of 65° C. Preferably (in each case)the side part has a coupling device (which can be separated from and/orconnected to the changing to device), by means of which this temperaturecontrol medium channel can be supplied with heating medium such as hotwater or by means of which a flow connection to hot water having acorresponding temperature can be produced. Preferably in each case viathis temperature control medium channel, by means of heating medium suchas oil, the side part and in particular the surface thereof facing thecavity can be heated, preferably to temperatures of at least 80° C.,preferably at least 90° C., preferably at least 100° C., preferably atleast 120° C., preferably at least 130° C., preferably at least 140° C.and preferably at least 145° C. and/or preferably a maximum of 160° C.,preferably a maximum of 155° C., preferably and particularly preferablya maximum of 150° C. Preferably (in each case) the side part has acoupling device (which can be separated from and/or connected to thechanging device), by means of which this temperature control mediumchannel can be supplied with oil or by means of which a flow connectionto oil at a corresponding temperature can be produced.

The blow mould support preferably has at least one channel astemperature control medium channel, which is particularly preferablyarranged inside the blow mould part and/or at the side of the blow mouldsupport. Preferably in each case via this temperature control mediumchannel, by means of heating medium such as hot water, at least portionsof the blow mould support and in particular at least portions of thesurface thereof (facing the cavity) can be heated, preferably totemperatures of at least 30° C., preferably at least 40° C., preferablyat least 50° C., preferably at least 55° C., and/or preferably a maximumof 75° C., preferably a maximum of 70° C., and particularly preferably amaximum of 65° C. Preferably (in each case) the base part has a couplingdevice (which can be separated from and/or connected to the changingdevice), by means of which this temperature control medium channel canbe supplied with heating medium such as hot water or by means of which aflow connection to hot water having a corresponding temperature can beproduced.

Preferably the temperature control medium channel of the base part andthe temperature control medium channel of at least one side part andpreferably the temperature control medium channels of both side partscan be simultaneously supplied, at least at times, with differenttemperature control medium or with temperature control medium ofdifferent temperature. This offers the advantage that the base part aswell as the side parts can be temperature-controlled differently andindependently of one another. The base part and the side partspreferably each have dedicated or separate coupling devices, by means ofwhich in each case a flow connection to temperature control medium canbe produced and/or can be broken.

The base part can preferably have two coupling devices, whereinparticularly preferably one coupling device is used for feeding flowablemedium and the other is used for discharging flowable medium. However,the base part can also have more than two, preferably at least fourcoupling devices. Advantageously it has different coupling devices, bymeans of which for example both cool water and also warm water can befed in and can be discharged. It is conceivable that by means of thecoupling device a flow connection can also be produced in each casebetween a channel between two different parts of a blow moulding device.The apparatus can be designed in such a way that the base parts and theside parts of the blow mould devices, preferably jointly andparticularly preferably individually, can be supplied with flowablemedium or temperature-controlled. Alternatively or additionally theapparatus can also be designed in such a way that in each case the blowmould supports can also be individually supplied with flowable medium ortemperature-controlled. Consequently at least one side part, preferablythe side parts, and/or the base part and/or the blow mould supports canhave at least one and preferably at least two (advantageously preciselytwo) coupling devices. The changing device is preferably designed insuch a way as to operate the coupling devices of at least two differentparts of the blow moulding device, preferably the coupling device of abase part and of at least one side part and/or of at least one blowmould support.

In an advantageous embodiment the changing device is a changing robot ora handling manipulator and the changing operation preferably takes placeautomatically or semi-automatically.

In an advantageous embodiment the reshaping station has at least two andpreferably a plurality of coupling devices and/or the changing devicehas at least two and preferably a plurality of interfaces for breakingand/or making a flow connection. Thus for instance the changing devicecan have a plurality of gripping arms or one gripping arm or onegripping device with a plurality of interfaces. In this case theinterfaces are preferably designed in such a way that in each case theycan be advanced towards a coupling device and can separate and/orconnect this coupling device.

In a further advantageous embodiment the reshaping station has at leasttwo coupling to devices which are arranged at height levelssubstantially different from one another. Thus for instance the mediacouplings can be arranged at different height levels. In this case aheight level is understood to be one which (by comparison with the baseplane) of the apparatus is a horizontal plane. In other words, in theoperating state at least two coupling devices which can be operated bythe changing device have vertical spacings with respect to the basewhich differ from one another. Thus the changing device should be ableto operate (simultaneously) not only for instance two coupling deviceswhich are symmetrical to one another, of which for instance one isarranged on one side part and the other on the second side part which inparticular is symmetrical thereto, but for example the changing deviceshould also be able to operate at least one coupling device on a basepart of the apparatus and in addition to this (at least) one couplingdevice on one side part and/or on a blow mould support.

In a further advantageous embodiment the reshaping station has at leasttwo coupling devices, and the changing device is suitable and intendedto separate and/or to connect the two coupling devices successively.This can offer the advantage that fewer interfaces have to be providedon the changing device for simultaneous separation of the differentcoupling devices. Thus for instance the same interface can operate thecoupling device on a base part and a side part and/or a blow mouldsupport.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device is suitable andintended to separate and/or to connect the coupling device, in terms oftime, before, during or after the gripping of the blow moulding device,and/or to break and/or to make a flow connection between the channel andthe coupling device, but preferably still during an individual changingoperation of a blow moulding device. Therefore the present inventionaugments the gripping device for the blow mould devices, preferred on ahandling manipulator. The blow mould devices are received in thegripping device as a mould set, for instance the base mould and the twoshell moulds (that is to say the base part and two side parts).

A device, which operates or uncouples the media couplings or thecoupling devices before, while or after the blow mould devices arereceived in the (blow) mould support, is preferably located on the saidgripping device or preferably on the handling manipulator itself. Thusthe operator does not have to uncouple the media couplings or thecoupling devices individually one after the other and the setup timedecreases. However, the coupling of the media couplings or the couplingdevices is preferred again performed by the operator. The individualinterfaces of the changing device for operating a coupling device, thatis to say for separating or connecting a coupling device, are preferablyarranged at least partially and preferably completely on or at thegripping device.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is possible that the changingdevice couples the media couplings or the coupling devices during orafter the insertion of the (new) blow moulding devices into the (blow)mould support.

In a particularly preferred first variant the apparatus or the changingdevice is preferably suitable and intended such that the changingdevice, which is preferably a robot, or the gripping device thereof,performs both the changing operation of the blow moulding device andalso separates and/or connects at least one coupling device or mediacoupling (preferably at least all coupling devices or media couplings tobe separated for performing the changing operation). In other words, ina first possibility the robot carries out both the change of blow mouldand also the coupling. The changing device is preferably suitable andintended for carrying out the change of blow mould fully automatically.

In a preferred second variant the apparatus is suitable and intended, inresponse to an activating signal, which can preferably be transmitted tothe apparatus by an operator for instance by means of actuation of aswitching element and/or by a control device, to activate a changingmode which differs from the mode of operation the apparatus. Forexample, by comparison with the operating mode the transport device canbe operated at a reduced transport speed and/or individual devices, suchas a feed device which feeds the plastic preforms to the blow mouldingstation, are not operated. Preferably in response to the activatingsignal an automatic uncoupling sequence is activated, which preferablyincludes a step in which by means of a switching element, which ispreferably stationary, in particular from the exterior or from outside ahousing of the apparatus, at least one coupling device and preferablyall coupling devices to be separated are preferably, at least at times,activated or separated simultaneously or successively. The automaticuncoupling sequence preferably also includes the step in which a fullyautomatic switching of at least one blow moulding device and preferablyall blow moulding devices is carried out. Furthermore, the automaticuncoupling sequence preferably includes the following step in which bymeans of a switching element, which is preferably stationary, inparticular from the exterior or from outside a housing of the apparatus,at least one coupling device and preferably all coupling devices to beconnected are preferably, at least at times, activated or connected tosimultaneously or successively. In other words, in this variant beforethe actually changing operation with the robot an automatic uncouplingsequence is activated, for example the blow moulding wheel rotatesslowly and, by means of a stationary switching element which is movablefrom the exterior, all couplings or a type of cassette on which theswitching element acts are activated. Then a fully automatically changepreferably takes place. The coupling takes place in an analogous mannerto the uncoupling process.

In a preferred third variant the changing device is preferably a robot.In the change of blow mould an interaction between the operator and therobot is preferably provided. Preferably in this third variant achanging operation of the blow moulding device takes place insubstantially three process steps. In a first process step allconnections or coupling devices (to be separated) are preferablyuncoupled by an operator in a semi-automatic blow moulding wheelmovement. In a second (subsequent) process step the blow mould devicesare changed fully automatically (by the changing device). In a thirdprocess step all coupling devices or connections (to be separated) arepreferably again coupled or connected by an operator in a semi-automaticblow moulding wheel movement. The semi-automatic blow moulding wheelmovement can preferably be an operation of the reshaping device in apredetermined changing mode, in which for example the blow mouldingwheel or the individual blow moulding stations/reshaping stations arerotated at a speed of rotation which is reduced by comparison with anoperating mode.

In a preferred fourth variant the changing device is a handlingmanipulator. The operation of the handling manipulator preferably takesplace by an operator, which preferably likewise couples and/or uncouplesor disconnects and/or connects the media connections or the couplingdevice(s) (preferably at least all of them which are to be separated forperforming the changing operation).

In a further advantageous embodiment the or at least one coupling deviceand preferably all coupling devices to be operated by the changingdevice is/are preferably a plug connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment the or at least one coupling deviceand preferably all coupling devices to be operated by the changingdevice is/are preferably configured to be self-sealing. This offers theadvantage, that in the event of decoupling of the coupling device thereis no dripping of the medium.

In a further advantageous embodiment the or at least one coupling deviceand preferably all coupling devices to be operated by the changingdevice is/are a quick-release coupling for gases and/or fluids. As aresult a saving of time can also be achieved in the event of a change ofblow mould.

In a further advantageous embodiment is a pneumatic connection forreleasing a latching of a blow moulding device can be produced by thechanging device. In the event of a change of blow mould or a change ofthe blow moulding devices, preferred by means of a handling manipulator,the blow moulds or the blow moulding devices are preferably latched inthe (blow) mould support by a spring-preloaded unit. In order to unlatchthe blow moulds or the blow moulding devices, this unit must be suppliedwith compressed air. This preferably takes place manually with thehandling manipulator during the change of blow mould. Docking preferablytakes place with a device on the gripping device or on the handlingmanipulator itself (or on the changing device) at the reshaping stationand preferably on a blow mould support, for example by means of a coneand/or a conical hole, preferably in the blow mould support, andpreferably the air supply of the blow moulding station is preferablyproduced by means of a seal. In a further advantageous configuration,such a device for uncoupling or coupling the media couplings or thecoupling devices is also conceivable on a mould change robot.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device has means forsupplying a channel and/or a coupling device with flowable medium and inparticular a source of flowable medium. Thus for instance a reshapingstation and in particular a blow mould support or a latching of a blowmoulding device through can be supplied with compressed air by thechanging device. However, the changing device can also produce only onefluid connection between a reshaping station and a stationary or mobilemedia supply, so that ultimately preferred for instance a latching of ablow moulding device to a blow mould support can preferably be unlatchedby application of compressed air.

In a further advantageous embodiment the flowable medium or thetemperature control medium is a flowable temperature control medium ortemperature control means preferably for temperature control of at leasta part of the blow moulding device. The temperature control medium ortemperature control means is preferably a liquid, such as for examplewater or cool water. However, this can also be warm water or both. Thetemperature control medium or temperature control means is preferablyalso oil.

In a further advantageous embodiment the apparatus is arranged in aclean room. In particular the production or expansion (and also thefilling) of the containers takes place inside a space with alow-contamination environment, which can be in particular a clean room.Advantageously the clean room surrounds the transport path of thecontainers (at least partially and preferably at least in the region inwhich the blow moulding wheel is arranged) like a channel. Furthermore,this clean room is delimited by means of at least one wall relative tounsterile surroundings. Advantageously the changing device can likewisebe arranged inside the clean room, particularly preferably not only in achanging mode but also in an expansion mode of the apparatus.

Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method for operatingan apparatus for reshaping plastic preforms into plastic containers witha transport device which transports the plastic preforms along apredetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movablestation support arranged at least indirectly on a stationary basesupport on which a plurality of transforming stations are arranged,wherein these transforming stations each have blow moulding deviceswhich each form cavities or each form a cavity within which the plasticpreforms can be transformed into the plastic containers and these blowmoulding devices are each arranged on blow mould supports, wherein theapparatus has a changing device which is suitable and intended in order,in a changing mode of the system, at least to remove the blow moulddevices from their blow mould supports and/or to arrange blow moulddevices on the blow mould supports, wherein this changing device has atleast one gripping device for gripping the blow mould device, whereinthe gripping device is suitable for selectively changing a complete blowmoulding device or only parts of the blow moulding device, wherein thereshaping station and in particular the blow moulding device has atleast one channel for conveying a flowable medium as well as at leastone coupling device which can be disconnected from the channel.

According to the invention the changing device separates and/or connectsthe coupling device and/or breaks a flow connection between the channeland the coupling device and/or makes a flow connection between thechannel and the coupling device. The separation and/or connection of thecoupling decisions preferably takes place in a changing mode of theapparatus which differs from a normal operating mode. The changingdevice preferably releases at least one coupling device, and preferablyall of the coupling devices to be operated during a change of blowmould, independently or automatically and thus preferably without actionby an operator. In this case the method can preferably be provided withall features described in connection with the apparatus individually orin combination with several of these features (and also vice versa).

Thus also in the context of the method according to the invention it isproposed that the changing device can not only receive or use a blowmoulding device, but also break and/or make a flow connectionsimultaneously or with a time delay, preferably between a blow mouldingdevice and a further element of the apparatus. The changing devicepreferably separates and/or connects coupling devices which are arrangedat different height levels in the operational state of the apparatus.The changing device preferably separates and/or connects couplingdevices, of which preferably one is arranged on a base part of the blowmoulding device and at least one is arranged on a side part of the blowmoulding device. A separation or a connection of at least one couplingdevice can preferably be triggered by a gripping movement of thegripping device or can be correlated therewith (over time).

In an advantageous embodiment the changing device separates and/orconnects at least two coupling devices successively. This offers theadvantage that with one and the same interface the changing device canfor instance separate and/or connect different coupling devices.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device merely performsa separation of at least one coupling device and/or at least one flowconnection between the channel and the coupling device, whilst aconnection of the coupling device and/or production of a flow connectionbetween the channel and the coupling device takes place manually.

Further advantages and embodiments are apparent from the appendeddrawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 shows a representation of a user with a blow moulding device;

FIG. 4 shows a representation of a user with a holding device;

FIG. 5 shows a representation of a coupling device in the disconnectedstate;

FIG. 6 shows a representation of the coupling device according to FIG. 5in a connected state.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus 1 for reshapingplastic preforms 10 into plastic containers 20. In this case the plasticpreforms 10 are fed to the individual reshaping stations 8 and areexpanded to form plastic containers 20, preferably while they are beingtransported by a transport device 2. After this expansion the plasticcontainers 20 are removed from the apparatus 1 again. For this purpose afeed starwheel can be provided which delivers the plastic parisons tothe apparatus 1 and also a discharge device, in particular likewise atransport starwheel, which discharges the finished containers 20 fromthe apparatus. The system 1 has a station support 12 on which aplurality of transforming stations 8 are disposed. In this case thisstation support may be for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a blow mouldingwheel which is rotatable with respect to an axis of rotation D (whichhere extends perpendicular to the drawing plane and thus vertically).Each individual transforming station has a respective blow mouldingdevice 14. This blow moulding device 14 is composed of two side partsand a base part. These blow moulding devices can be replaced accordingto the invention. In this case the blow mould devices 14 are arranged onblow mould supports 16 and can be removed therefrom or arranged thereon.

The reference 40 identifies a changing device which serves to remove theblow mould devices from their blow mould supports or to dispose the blowmould devices on the blow mould supports. The reference 6 identifies abase support on which the station support 12 is rotatably mounted. Thechanging device 40 is also arranged on or adjacent to the base support6. Thus the changing device 40 can be integrated in the apparatus. Thereference sign 18 identifies a housing, which at least partiallysurrounds the station support 12, but which can preferably also encloseor house the changeover device 40. The housing preferably disconnectsits interior, which is designed as a sterile room or a clean room, froma normal atmosphere. However, at least intermittently and particularlypreferably permanently and advantageously also whilst it is performing achanging operation, the changing device 40 is preferably also arrangedoutside the housing 18 or before or in the periphery of the blowmoulding machine or the transforming device 1. In this case theapparatus 1 as well as the changing device 40 are preferably suitableand intended to engage in the blow moulding machine or the transformingdevice 1 from the exterior of the housing 18, preferably through thehousing 18.

The reference W designates a changing position. As mentioned above, theblow moulding devices are preferably replaced at a specific changingposition. This means that the transforming stations can be movedsuccessively into this changing position W by a rotation of the support12 and then in this changing position the old blow moulding devices canbe removed and preferably also new blow moulding devices can bedelivered. The reference R designates a radial direction. In this radialdirection the changing device or a gripping device of the changingdevice is preferably delivered to the transforming stations or the blowmould devices in order to change them.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of theinvention. In this embodiment the changing device 40 is configured as aso-called manipulator which can be operated by a user B. Thismanipulator 40 has a gripping device 52 which serves for holding theblow moulding device 14. This gripping device is arranged on an arm 54and this arm in turn is arranged on an arm 56. The reference 57designates a further arm on which the arm 56 is arranged.

For changing the blow moulding devices the user can bring the grippingdevice to the reshaping device 8 and can connect it to the blow mouldingdevice. Furthermore, by means of the changing device 40 the user B canrelease a latching of the blow moulding device, for example on the blowmould support 14, by application of compressed air, which is providedfor instance by the changing device 40. Then the blow moulding devicecan be received from the changing device 40. Then the user B can movethe blow moulding device 14 by means of the changing device 40 to themagazine and can place it there.

FIG. 3 shows a representation of a user carrying a blow moulding device14. However, it would also be conceivable that this is completelyreplaced by a robot during the change of blow mould. In this case thereference signs 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c designate the individual componentsof the blow mould device, namely the side parts thereof as well as thebase part (14 c). The reference 90 designates a holding device whichserves for holding the blow moulding device 14. In this case thisholding device 90 can be configured in such a way that on the one handit can be connected to a changing device 40, but on the other hand itcan also be held by the user B.

FIG. 4 shows a user B who is only holding the holding device 90. As canbe seen, this latter can be configured so that it can preferably be heldon one side by the user B.

Finally, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a coupling device 62, with the aid of whicha flow connection between a first channel 60 and a second channel 64 canbe made or can be broken. The changing device 40 can for instance carryout such breaking or making of a flow connection between two channels.In this case FIG. 5 shows the coupling device 62 in a disconnectedstate, in which therefore no flow connection exists between the channel60 and the second channel 64. On the other hand, the coupling device 62is shown in FIG. 6 in a connected state, in which a flow connectionexists between the channel 60 and the second channel 64. In theconnected state the coupling device 62 a flowable medium can preferablybe fed to the channel 60 or is extracted therefrom and in this way apart of a blow moulding device 14 or of the blow mould support 16 can betemperature-controlled.

The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed inthe application documents as essential to the invention in so far asthey are individually or in combination novel over the prior art.Furthermore it is pointed out that features which may be advantageousper se have also been described in the individual drawings. The personskilled in the art recognises immediately that a specific featuredescribed in a drawing may also be advantageous without theincorporation of further features from this drawing. Furthermore theperson skilled in the art recognises that advantages may also resultfrom a combination of several features shown in individual drawings orin different drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   1 apparatus-   2 transport device-   6 base support-   8 reshaping station-   10 plastic preform-   12 station support-   14 blow moulding device-   14 a, b, c components of the blow moulding device-   16 blow mould support-   20 plastic container-   40 changing device-   54, 56, 57 arm-   60 channel-   62 coupling device-   64 second channel-   90 holding arrangement-   B user-   D axis of rotation-   R radial direction-   W change position

1. Apparatus (1) for transforming plastic parisons (10) to plasticcontainers (20) with a transport device (2) which transports the plasticparisons (10) along a predetermined transport path, wherein thetransport device (2) has a movable station support (12) arranged atleast indirectly on a stationary base support (6) on which a pluralityof transforming stations (8) is arranged, wherein these transformingstations (8) each have blow mould devices (14) which each form cavitieswithin which the plastic parisons (10) can be transformed into theplastic containers (20) and these blow mould devices (14) are eachdisposed on blow mould supports (16), wherein the apparatus (1) has achanging device (40) which is suitable and intended at least to removethe blow moulding devices (14) from their blow mould supports (16)and/or to arrange blow moulding devices (14) on the blow mould supports(16), wherein this changing device (40) has at least one gripping devicefor gripping the blow moulding device (14), wherein the gripping deviceis suitable for selectively changing a complete blow moulding device(14) or only parts (14 a, 14 b, 14 c) of the blow moulding device (14),wherein the reshaping station (8) and in particular the blow mouldingdevice (14) has at least one channel (60) for conveying a flowablemedium as well as at least one coupling device (62) which can beseparated from the channel (60), characterised in that the changingdevice (40) is suitable and intended to separate and/or to connect thecoupling device (62) and/or to break and/or to make a flow connectionbetween the channel (60) and the coupling device (62).
 2. Apparatus (1)according to claim 1, characterised in that the changing device (40) isa changing robot or a handling manipulator and the changing operationtakes place automatically or semi-automatically.
 3. Apparatus (1)according to claim 1, characterised in that the reshaping station (8)has at least two and preferably a plurality of coupling devices (62)and/or the changing device (40) has at least two and preferably aplurality of interfaces for breaking and/or making a flow connection. 4.Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reshapingdevice (8) has at least two coupling devices (62) which are arranged atheight levels which are substantially different from one another. 5.Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reshapingdevice (8) has at least two coupling devices (62) and the changingdevice (40) is suitable and intended separate and/or to connect the twocoupling devices (62) successively.
 6. Apparatus (1) according to claim1, characterised in that the changing device (40) is suitable andintended to separate and/or to connect the coupling device (62) and/orto break and/or to make a flow connection between the channel (60) andthe coupling device (62) before, during or after the gripping of theblow moulding device (14).
 7. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1,characterised in that the coupling device (62) is a plug connectionand/or the coupling device (62) is a quick-release coupling for gasesand/or fluids.
 8. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised inthat the coupling device (62) is designed to be self-sealing. 9.Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that a pneumaticconnection for releasing a latching of a blow moulding device (14) canbe produced by the changing device (40).
 10. Apparatus (1) according toclaim 1, characterised in that the changing device (40) has means forsupplying a channel (60) and/or a coupling device (62) with flowablemedium and in particular a source of flowable medium.
 11. Apparatus (1)according to claim 10, characterised in that the flowable medium is atemperature control medium preferably for temperature control of atleast a part (14 a, 14 b, 14 c) of the blow moulding device (14). 12.Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reshapingdevice (8) is arranged in a clean room.
 13. Method (1) for operating anapparatus (1) for reshaping plastic preforms (10) into plasticcontainers (20) with a transport device (2) which transports the plasticpreforms (10) along a predetermined transport path, wherein thetransport device (2) has a movable station support (12) arranged atleast indirectly on a stationary base support (6) on which a pluralityof transforming stations (8) is arranged, wherein these transformingstations (8) each have blow mould devices (14) which each form cavitieswithin which the plastic parisons (10) can be transformed into theplastic containers (20) and these blow mould devices (14) are eachdisposed on blow mould supports (16), wherein the apparatus (1) has achanging device (40) which is suitable and intended at least to removethe blow moulding devices (14) from their blow mould supports (16)and/or to arrange blow moulding devices (14) on the blow mould supports(16), wherein this changing device (40) has at least one gripping devicefor gripping the blow moulding device (14), wherein the gripping deviceis suitable for selectively changing a complete blow moulding device(14) or only parts (14 a, 14 b, 14 c) of the blow moulding device (14),wherein the reshaping station (8) and in particular the blow mouldingdevice (14) has at least one channel (60) for conveying a flowablemedium as well as at least one coupling device (62) which can beseparated from the channel (60), characterised in that the changingdevice (40) separates and/or connects the coupling device (62) and/or tobreak and/or breaks and/or makes a flow connection between the channel(60) and the coupling device (62).
 14. Method according to claim 13,characterised in that the changing device (40) separates and/or connectsat least two coupling devices (62) successively.
 15. Method according toclaim 13, characterised in that the changing device (40) merely performsa separation of a coupling device (62) and/or a flow connection betweenthe channel (60) and the coupling device (62), whilst a connection ofthe coupling device (62) and/or production of a flow connection betweenthe channel (60) and the coupling device (62) takes place manually.